Leadership Team
The Leadership Team of the Magis Emerging Leadership Program is comprised of 5 upperclassmen who serve as mentors throughout the program experience. These 5 Mentors are mostly selected from previous cohorts of the program as well as from the larger USF student leader community. Among the 5 mentors, 1–2 serve as a Lead Mentor for the program. The Lead Mentor plays a significant role in the management and facilitation of the program.
The Leadership Team is guided by a full-time professional staff member, the Program Director for the Change the World From Here Institute, who designs, facilitates, and coaches those engaged in the program.
Carolayne Lage '26 (she/her)
LEAD MENTOR
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Major: Media Studies
Minor: Film Studies
Places they call home: Rockland, MA
What makes them smile: Friends, family, and DOGS!!!!!
Areas of Involvement: Women's Club Soccer, Women's Club Rugby, Student Leadership and Engagement (SLE) Marketing Team
Favorite Quote: "Everything happens for a reason"
Franchesca "Cheska" Rugayan '26 (she/her)
LEAD MENTOR
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Major: Business Analytics and Finance
Places they call home: Manila, Philippines
What makes them smile: Friends, family, and DOGS!!!!!
Areas of Involvement: GO Team, School of Management Honor's Program
Favorite Quote: "We don't make mistakes, just happy little accidents" -Bob Ross
Cole Williamson '27 (he/him)
MENTOR
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Major: Psychology and Political Science
Minor: Legal Studies
Places they call home: Lafayette, Louisiana
What makes them smile: Seeing my siblings and hearing people talk about their passions!
Areas of Involvement: St. Ignatius Institute (SII), Undergraduate Law Society, Advisory Board for Martín Baró Scholars Program
Favorite Quote: "The barbarian is, first and foremost, the [person] who believes in barbarism." -Claude Lévi-Strauss
Diego Zamalloa '27 (he/him)
MENTOR
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Major: International Studies
Places they call home: Carslbad, California
What makes them smile: Talking to strangers and street music!
Areas of Involvement: USF Votes (Voter Engagement Co-Lead), I-LEAD Arrupe Immersion (University Ministry), Resident Assistant (Office of Community Living)
Karolyne Lajera '27 (she/her)
MENTOR
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Major: Chemistry
Places they call home: Oceanside, New York
What makes them smile: People pursuing their passions, herself included!
Areas of Involvement: Muscat Scholars Program (MSP), ASUSF Finance Committee, Kasamahan, Delta Zeta Sorority, Reading Partners, Women in Pre-Med, USF Prime Student Brand Ambassador
Favorite Quote: "Control how you respond to things sent to destroy your peace." - Unknown
Alyssa Soukhaseum (she/her)
Volunteer Facilitator (Practicum Student)
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Master of Science: Higher Education & Student Affairs
Bachelor of Science: Exercise Science
Places they call home: Los Angeles, CA & San Francisco, CA
What makes them smile: Food, music, sunshine, friends and family
Areas of Involvement: Assistant Residence Director (ARD) for Loyola Village
Favorite Quote: "My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style" - Maya Angelou
Irania Rodriguez (they/them)
Facilitator(Full-Time Staff)
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Master of Arts: Higher Education Administration and Leadership
Bachelor of Arts: Sociology
Places they call home: Tulare, Hanford, and Daly City (all in California)
What makes them smile: Dad jokes and the outdoors
Areas of Involvement: Digital Community Cohort 2024 & Assistant Director for Campus Activities with Student Leadership and Engagement
Favorite Quote: "La vida es un caranval." - Celia Cruz
Bob Just (he/him)
PROGRAM DIRECTOR (Full-Time Staff)
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Master of Science: Adult Development Theory & Higher Education Administration (College Student Personnel)
Bachelor of Science: Human Development & Family Studies with a minor in Business Administration
Places they call home: Manchester, VT, Macomb, IL, Concord, CA, and San Francisco
What makes them smile: Kindness ... and nachos, I just LOVE a good plate of nachos
Areas of Involvement: National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), Leadership Educators Institute (LEI), International Coaching Federation (ICF), City Hope SF, and the National Association of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH)
Favorite Quote: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." - African Proverb shared by Mersert "Mercy" Mehzun (2020 Fellow & 2021 Leadership Team)
Timeline for 2025-26 Leadership Team Selection
Are you ready to take your leadership to the next level? Apply to be on the Magis Leadership Team!
How do I become a part of the Leadership Team?
Are you interested in continuing your journey through Magis? Become a Magis Mentor! Magis Mentors act as role models and guide Magis Fellows through their individual and group leadership processes. Each Magis Mentor will be assigned a group of 5 Magis Fellows and lead the students through small group discussions and activities at retreats and weekly development sessions over the full academic year.
2025-26 Leadership Team Selection Timeline | Apply starting March 5
Applications open: TBD
Applications due: TBD
Interview Offers: TBD
Interviews: TBD
Position Notifications: TBD
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